NMC students received $3 million in American Rescue Plan funds last September, bringing the total amount of federal COVID-19 relief funds the college has distributed to students to $5.2 million since April 2020.

NMC has prioritized rapid disbursement of four rounds of COVID funds intended for students, as well as supplemented them with dollars raised by the NMC Foundation.

“As the pandemic persists, so do our students’ challenges,” NMC President Nick Nissley said. “We’re pleased to be able to efficiently steward these taxpayer dollars and distribute them to students who have persevered toward their goals through 18 months.”

While the COVID relief dollars are extraordinary, NMC champions affordability as a key element of college access. Besides federal financial aid and more than $1 million in institutional scholarships annually, the college utilizes open educational resources (free and low-cost textbooks) in many classes, and has an on-campus food pantry.